UK Police paid £4,000 NRI teenager dumped in rubbish bin

London, Aug 31, 2007
NRI press
Ravi Singh

NRI Anop Singh, 15, of Stamford Hill, North London, was paid £4,000 in compensation by Scotland Yard after a constable put him in a rubbish bin.

Anop's friends captured the the incident on a mobile phone which was triggered by an exchange of words between the boy and officers.

Anop Singh threatened to sue the Metropolitan Police and claimed other youths bullied him afterwards, branding him "bin boy". This incident happened in a park in Stoke Newington, North London, in October 2005

The Independent Police Complaints Commission reported:

• The youths were throwing conkers at members of the public
• One officer told Anop to move on or he would put him in a bin, to which the boy replied: "You're going to put me in the bin? Go on then."
• The officers carried out his threat and one plain-clothed officer hoisted Anop Singh over his shoulder, put his feets in the bin for no more than a second, and the officers claimed it was "all in good humour".
• His friend, Pierre Cornwall began filming the police. The officer carried out his threat as Pierre kept filming. He also filmed another officer making an offensive gesture.
• The policer officer who put Anop in the bin escaped criminal charges and kept his job. But both officers were given a written warning after an investigation

The chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, Mr. Glen Smyth said:

• But a written apology should have been enough. This sends out all the wrong signs, a child who behaves badly is rewarded.
• it was "astonishing" that the boy had received the money.
• Should the officer have put him in the bin? Probably not but I suppose it's the modern equivalent of a giving him a clip round the ear
• He was being a naughty lad and he was being taught a lesson. I can see why the Met decided to make the pay- out because it would have cost much more to go to court.

IPCC Commissioner for London, said their actions were "clearly foolish" but "not malicious".

Anop Singh said:

• The money would never make up for the ' humiliation and distress' I suffered.
• If I had done what that police officer did I'm sure I would have ended up in prison
• I can't stand the fact that he got away with it and that he could do it to someone else
• My solicitor advised me to accept the money

Gurdev Singh, 37, car mechanic said: "We're not satisfied and I will always be angry about the way my son was tossed around like a piece of rubbish.

Anop Singh, 15, of Stamford Hill, North London, was paid £4,000 in compensation by Scotland Yard after a constable put him in a rubbish bin.